Community Welcomed to Central Cove Ribbon Cutting and Open House at Vernal Campus
New Central Cove Early Learning Center to Open in Vernal, Utah: A Step Forward for Early Childhood Education
Vernal, Utah – The Uintah School District, in partnership with Utah State University Uintah Basin, is set to officially open the Central Cove Early Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This new facility, located at 29 N. 1600 West, approximately one-third of a mile east of the Aggie Bull, represents a significant investment in early childhood education for Vernal’s community.
The opening event will provide an opportunity for families, educators, and community members to explore the state-of-the-art facility. Attendees will have the chance to meet the teaching staff and gain insight into the various programs set to commence this upcoming fall. Central Cove Principal Erin Brown expressed her enthusiasm for the new center, stating, “My hope is that as our families and our community walk through the doors of our new school for the first time, they will feel — just as I have — the urgency of our vision.”
The facility aims to foster a holistic educational experience, where joy and excitement in learning are key priorities, alongside strong family engagement and supportive environments for educators. Rick Woodford, Superintendent of the Uintah School District, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the school district and USU, aimed at enhancing early childhood education and ensuring that the children of Uintah County can achieve their fullest potential.
Research underscores the critical role of early childhood education, with studies indicating a strong correlation between preschool attendance and readiness for kindergarten, alongside improved outcomes such as academic success, better job prospects, and enhanced health throughout life. Superintendent Woodford emphasized the need for quality early education to benefit more children in the community, stating, “We want children in our community to enjoy the lifelong benefits that are associated with attending a quality preschool.”
The Central Cove Early Learning Center replaces a 1940s-era building that no longer met safety standards. By reallocating funds from the district’s capital reserves, the decision was made to construct a modern facility designed to accommodate more students and address an urgent academic need, especially in light of recent assessments indicating that incoming kindergarten students in Uintah County performed significantly below state averages.
David Law, Associate Vice President of USU Uintah Basin, has been instrumental in this partnership, affirming that the collaboration aligns with USU’s land-grant mission to enhance local education. The university’s involvement includes the integration of faculty offices and educational resources within the new center, ensuring that staff with specialized expertise contribute to the success of the programs offered.
Additionally, USU plans to hire two new assistant professors focused on early childhood education and early childhood special education, who will work directly from the new facility. Lisa Boyce, Executive Director of the Dolores Doré Eccles Center for Early Care and Education at USU in Logan, praised the commitment of district leaders, noting, “Their dedication to best practices and their vision for continuous improvement will make Central Cove a center of excellence.”
As Vernal prepares for this new chapter in early childhood education, the Central Cove Early Learning Center is poised to become a cornerstone for community engagement and a vital resource in fostering the educational development of young learners in Uintah County. The opening of this facility marks a decisive step forward in reaffirming the importance of structured early education in setting children on paths to success, both academically and personally.
